more-in Emphasising that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is not opposed to anyone RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday spoke about being more inclusive and refrained from making any political comnent. Mr. Bhagwat who was addresing a gathering of swayamsevaks at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds said that the volunteers should spare one third of their daily time and income for the activities of the RSS and “Hindu Samaj.” “This organisation of Hindus is not opposed to anyone. It is for protection of Hindutva,” Mr. Bhagwat said. “Politics by its nature tries to disrupt meditation of sages. Never have the holy men been affected by it,” he said, adding that like in the story of King Sagar’s sons, it is the other side who has to suffer. This remark was construed by many swayamsevaks as a veiled dig at the Mamata Banerjee government which had denied permission to Mr Bhagwat's rally. “Hindu society needs to be strong, needs to be organised, needs to be fearless,” Mr. Bhagwat went on. Qouting RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar he said that the Hindus cannot blame others “like the Mughal dynasty, the British or any other rule for their plight.” “We have to be united... if people are united none can look down upon us,” Mr. Bhagwat said, adding that unless Hindus are strong in their own country, one cannot complain about their plight in the neighouring countries. The RSS chief said that even Supreme Court has upheld that, “Hindutva is not a narrow communal ideology, its a traditional way of life.” A few thousand RSS swayamsevaks including State Bharatiya Janata Party president Dilip Ghosh were present at the rally where customary drill and prayer of the organisation was performed. While the Calcutta High Court granted permission for the rally, it imposed restrictions that the crowd should not exceed 4,000.

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